CVE-2019-9103 in MGate MB3170
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Moxa MGate MB3170 and MB3270 devices before 4.1, MB3280 and MB3480 devices before 3.1, MB3660 devices before 2.3, and MB3180 devices before 2.1. An attacker can access sensitive information (e.g., conduct username disclosure attacks) on the built-in WEB-service without authorization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9103 affects several Moxa MGate series industrial communication devices including MB3170, MB3270, MB3280, MB3480, MB3660, and MB3180 models. This security flaw resides in the built-in web service component of these industrial networking appliances, which are commonly deployed in industrial environments for remote monitoring and control applications. The devices operate in critical infrastructure settings where unauthorized access could potentially compromise operational technology networks and lead to significant operational disruptions or security breaches.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate authentication mechanisms within the web service interface of these devices. Specifically, the vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive information through the web service without proper authorization. This represents a classic security misconfiguration where the device fails to properly validate user credentials or implement access controls for sensitive data exposure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple device models across different generations, indicating a systemic issue in the software architecture rather than an isolated incident.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential usernames and other sensitive data that could be leveraged for subsequent attacks. This weakness aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and can be categorized under the ATT&CK framework as part of the credential access tactics. Attackers could potentially use the disclosed usernames to conduct further reconnaissance, attempt password guessing attacks, or escalate privileges within the network. The exposure of user credentials in industrial environments poses significant risks to operational technology security, particularly when these devices are integrated into larger industrial control systems.
The vulnerability affects specific firmware versions of Moxa devices, with different models requiring different minimum firmware updates to remediate the issue. Organizations using these devices should prioritize immediate firmware upgrades to versions 4.1 or higher for MB3170 and MB3270 devices, 3.1 or higher for MB3280 and MB3480 devices, 2.3 or higher for MB3660 devices, and 2.1 or higher for MB3180 devices. Beyond firmware updates, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized access attempts to web service interfaces, and regular security assessments should verify proper implementation of access controls for industrial communication devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing proper network security controls in industrial environments where device security is paramount to overall operational integrity.